Artist to Watch: London’s Lyla Foy is All About the ’90s

We here are ModCloth are always on the hunt for new music to load into our playlists (and of course, our brains). This week’s discovery came all too easy, when London-based singer-songwriter Lyla Foy’s debut album showed up in our inbox. Perfectly mellow and romantic with hints of dream-pop just perky enough to bring us out of our rainy day week slumps, Foy, who initially started writing under the moniker WALL, has brought her full-length Mirrors The Sky album front and center.

We were lucky enough to catch up with the songbird on the heels of her big release (Mirrors The Sky came out on March 18) to ask her a few burning questions (like what she thinks about her musical comparisons). Keep scrolling to learn more and give her music a spin after the interview.

ModCloth: You initially started writing under the moniker WALL, what prompted you to begin working under your own name?
Foy: WALL was just a moniker I released under for a while, it was never meant to be forever. It feels more natural to have my debut album coming out under my own name. The changing to my own name had nothing to do with my musical style really or the way I was doing things.

Your catchy lead single “Feather Tongue” is a smooth blend of airy smokiness, what was the inspiration behind that track?
The song has a few themes running through it. It’s touching on how people deal with things differently and holding down how you feel, or letting it out.

So your album’s out — congrats — and now you’re touring. What’s your live show like?
I have a 3-piece backing band. We swap around instruments a bit, which is my fault as I like to mix between playing bass and guitar. The songs have a slightly different color when we play them live — more swells in dynamics, perhaps — but the songs are the important thing so we just try and do them justice.

You’ve been compared to Beach House, Lykke Li, and St.Vincent, how do you feel about those artists?
I’m down with those comparisons, I love all three acts! I tend to get drawn to a voice over a particular sound when I’m obsessing over bands. Especially someone like Lykke Li, her voice gets me every time. The songs and production are beautiful too, but I would take her voice wrapped up in any package.

I’d like to transition to your style now. How would you describe your fashion sensibilities?
I’m a bit of a mishmash of different styles, but I do love the ’90s. I’m a fan of chokers, Doc Martens, and skirts over jeans. I get inspiration from my mum, who has an amazing and unique sense of style. She is beautiful.

What about when you’re on stage? Same style?
I love clumpy heals, but they make me wobbly on stage so I tend to go barefoot. I like to keep it fairly simple, a comfy black slip dress with something lacy or vintage on top plus lots of rings and accessories.